Franz Wagner and the NBA Draft
Two articles on the Ringer mentioning Franz:
The individual treatment from Jonathon Tjarks: https://www.theringer.com/2021/7/23/22583383/nba-draft-2021-franz-wagner-michigan-sleeper
And an (updated??) full 1st round projection, with Franz going no. 9 to the Kings:
https://nbadraft.theringer.com/mock-draft?_ga=2.125283855.446466803.1627061203-2038835537.1626709606
That's about the spot I see as right for him, though I wish it was to a team that's on TV more (Kings always seemed like an NBA blackhole)
Summary: Franz doesn't have the ceiling of some of the players with draft projections similar to his (late Lottery), but has a higher floor, and will be almost guaranteed to be a contributor.
Also really hoping the Pistons don't outsmart themselves and they take Cade Cunningham. You don't pass up talent like his because the fit may not be perfect.
Franz will do much of what he did in Ann Arbor in the NBA
Yup and he'll be generally under-appreciated for it, until he's out for a few games and people realize how important and good he is. Will never be an All-NBA type, but should be a high level NBA starter in the right situation.
Please don't go to the Kings. What a dysfunctional franchise. I'd really like to see him go to Charlotte, San Antonio, or Indiana. They've been doing a really good job of developing players lately.
Not a huge fan of the Pacers, but it's be cool to see him alongside Caris.
Trying to make myself like the Pacers, what with Caris on board. As far as other reasons go, so far I've got:
- good color scheme
- (and only because I'm also Lithuanian-American) Domantas Sabonis
Adding Franz to the mix would surely help.
Would love any of those options. Would definitely be great as a secondary playmaker/shooter, playing off LaMelo in Charlotte.
Also, players just seem to disappear when they go to Sacramento, then pop up 2 years later as a Free Agent, and everyone's like "Oh, you're still here, cool."
The Pistons are going to owe a 1st round pick to the Rockets. So do you trade down to the Rockets & take Jalen Green if it gets you off the hook?
I could see this, but my preference would definitely be Cade.
Green has some wildness to his game and needs to play more in control, also not the best defender. Cade for me has the higher floor and the higher ceiling.
Not for a second.
If Franz can really get that 3P shot % down he could be an all star in a few years. Khris Middleton, Andrei Kirilenko type. Perfect for the positionless, fast-paced NBA era. A guy who can defend small 5s down to big PGs? Sounds like a long career to me.
I don't see Franz being a number 2 option on a title team. Middleton was amazing these playoffs. He tied LeBron James for the most game-tying or go-ahead field goals (15) in a single playoffs over the last 25 seasons.
To be fair, most people didn't see Middleton becoming the player he currently is. 2nd round pick, and unfortunately traded after playing one year in Detroit.
Middleton and Kirilenko are very different players. I don't see Franz being as wildly disruptive on defense as AK-47 (who, at his peak, was truly generational), and I don't see him being an elite shot maker like Middleton. But he's likely to be a very good defender who can add some value on offense -- the kind of guy who can profitably slot into a playoff rotation.
It's easy to fall into hyperbole with late-lottery projections. But getting a Thaddeus Young type at 9 is a win, and that's the sort of comp that I like for Franz.
Bet he will go late 1st round, very late
I'll take that bet. In spades.
Agreed.
Franz will easily will be a lottery pick
Really, really hope Franz doesn't end up in Sacramento ?♂️
It seems like he would be a good fit for Orlando (and it would be fun to see him and Mo playing together).
My Wagner comparison is Tayshaun Prince. He had a pretty good career. Wagner is probably more skilled with the ball in his hands, so probably a higher ceiling.
Really hope he doesn't go to the Kings. They've been terrible at developing draft picks. I truly believe Nik Stauskas could have had a Duncan Robinson type career if he didn't go to the Kings.
I do also get at least a little irritated with the idea that Franz is somehow a finished product and low ceiling. You've got guys like Scottie Barnes being talked about in the top 5 because of potential, but Wagner is younger than a bunch of these freshman. I get it's mostly about athleticism, but acting as if Wagner's game is a finished product at 19 is crazy to me.